131. Moose hide bag

131 - moose hide bag

ca. 1976

Native Cultural Arts Museum

This bag was made by Marina Anderson, a Metis woman from Gift Lake, Alberta. She was one of the original instructors of the Native Cultural Heritage program in Grouard, Alberta. The bag is made of moose hide and decorated with floral appliqué beadwork using colourful seed beads. The style of the bag is representative of Metis design and would have been used throughout Western Canada. The bag is an example of a game bag, used to carry small game after a hunt, such as rabbits or prairie chickens. The beautiful beadwork on the bag was meant to honor the spirits of the animals.